Premium
Casein Whey Wastewater Effects on Soil Permeability
Author(s) -
McAuliffe K. W.,
Scotter D. R.,
MacGregor A. N.,
Earl K. D.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1982.00472425001100010009x
Subject(s) - effluent , hydraulic conductivity , wastewater , ponding , chemistry , organic matter , environmental science , environmental chemistry , irrigation , pulp and paper industry , soil water , soil science , environmental engineering , agronomy , ecology , drainage , biology , organic chemistry , engineering
Wastewater containing casein whey can impede soil water movement. A single 35‐mm application of simulated whey effluent to “undisturbed” soil cores resulted in approximately a 50% reduction in the saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K ) within 2 days. Repetitive applications to some cores caused a K decrease of over 99%. Subsequently all cores showed signs of biologically induced recovery within 1 to 3 weeks of the final effluent application, and in some cores, particularly those containing earthworms, the final K value eventually exceeded the initial value. Both physical and biological processes appear responsible for the K decrease following effluent application, with the degree of physical pore blockage dependent upon the particulate matter in the effluent. A number of practical implications can be inferred from the results. To avoid reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity an aerobic soil environment should be maintained, thus a land disposal site should never be overloaded so that ponding occurs. A spelling interval between applications is necessary to allow K recovery. Pore blockage would be lessened, but not eliminated, if suspended solids were removed from the effluent prior to irrigation.